Centred between the constellations of Hercules and Cygnus lies a small constellation with a very distinctive star pattern, Lyra (the lyre). Four stars form the main “body” of the Lyre: Beta, Gamma, Delta and Zeta Lyrae. Together they make a kind parallelogram. At the northwestern corner of this parallelogram a triangle of follow this link to read the full story........

Yesterday I tested the Baader AstroSolar Photographic Filter in combination with the Baader Kontinuum filter. This combination only lets a small part of the spectrum (540nm) get through and should give high contrast in the sunspots and granulation. Here are the first results. The images where taken with the Nikon Coolpix 4500 mounted on

the TAL 100 RS (4-inch refractor), using a 10mm Vixen Lanthanum eyepiece (100x) I did not use any other filters than the Baader Kontinuum. The first three images are stacked out of 15 originals (1600 x 1200, f 5.1, 1/500s, ISO 100) using Keiths Image Stacker. Both images where processed with image processing software (unsharp masking, contrast +15, and resizing). The fourth image was stacked out of 35 images (1600 x 1200, f 5.1, 1/30s, ISO 100).

In the first image I left the original colour (green from the Kontinuum filter), in the second image I converted the first image into greyscale. The third and fourth image are in original colour again. For a first result, they look very promising. On the first image, a hint of granulation can be seen. Also notice the sunspot on the suns limb.

Yesterday I constructed a new solar filter for photographing the Sun with my Coolpix 4500 and the webcam. I constructed the filter from cardboard and Baader AstroSolar PhotoFilm with a neutral density of 3.8. This filter is only for photographic use! Do not use Astro

Solar PhotoFilm for visual observation without an additional neutral density eyepiece filter! That’s what the big yellow sticker on the filter says. You should use a neutral density filter ND=2, preferably one from Baader. Follow this link to find more information on the Baader AstroSolar PhotoFilm. It should be used with great care, and only by people who know the danger of observing the sun!

This filter should provide me with sharp images of the sun using much shorter exposure times (about 1/1000s). The trick is to use the Baader AstroSolar Film for visual use (ND=5) for locating the sun and focussing the image. Then mount the camera on the telescope and exchange the visual filter (ND=5) for the photographic (ND=3.8) and shoot the images. Again I must say don’t use this filter for visual use without a ND=2 greyfilter. Even if you look through the viewfinder of a normal camera, do this by holding a ND=2 filter between your eye and the camera.

I still have to test it, so I will keep you update.

For detailed instructions on how to construct a solar filter using Baader AstroSolar Filter or Baader AstroSolar Photographic filter, please follow this link!

Here are a few images that should give you an idea how I constructed the filter:

First construct a cylinder that will fit around the dewcap or the telescope
tube real tight. I used some white paper/ cardboard to do this.

Then cut two rings out of cardboard that will fit on the cardboard cylinder.

Glue the filter material between the two rings. Cut of the redundant filter material.
Your “filterholder” is ready.

Glue the filterholder onto one end of the cardboard cylinder
you made, and secure it with some extra tape.

Put the sticker with the warnings on the cylinder. This should prevent you and others
from using it visually.(I got stickers in german language, but I presume that Baader will
also have stickers in English.

On april 1st 2004 I observed the 11-day-old moon with the TAL 200K. For an observing report with digital images please follow this link. There you will find not only a detailed report but also an overview image of the moon and some detailed images of Sinus Iridum, Mare Humorum and the Schiller-Tycho area.

Last night my new telescope, the TAL 100 RS, a four inch refractor (achromatic) got its first light. I mounted the tube (4.4 kg) on the EQ 6 and started with Vega. I immediately noticed a few differences with my TAL 200K. The field of view is twice as wide with the 100RS. My 200K has a ......follow this link to read the full story

Last night I observed some interesting double stars, an open cluster and a planetary nebula with my 15x80 binoculars and the Sky-window. All objects are situated in Lyra. I started around 22.00 hours 22 and ended the session around 23:45 UT. I used the SkyAtlas 2000 to locate the objects.

A few weeks ago I got my copy of the Clementine Atlas of the Moon from Cambridge University Press. This atlas is the first that shows the entire lunar surface in uniform scale and format (144 maps). It also claims to have the most comprehensive database of lunar crater nomenclature in existence. After using it for a few weeks I can say that this is not an atlas for the casual lunar observer. However, if you are a lunatic who wants to know everything about the Moon, or wants to study the Moon in detail, maybe this book is something for you. My advice is as with all books and equipment: have a look at it before buying. It can save you a lot of money!

Last night I observed two interesting open clusters with the 15x80 binoculars and the Sky Window. At 21.48 UT when I started my observing session, it wasn’t really dark yet, but Collinder 399, also known as “The Coathanger”, was already easy to detect. This fine open cluster in Vulpecala contains .......follow this link to read the full story